Started sketching

I did a quick sketch today. I lay out everything on the paper before I fracture it. I don't want a line going right through the rooster's face. My sketch is completely free hand and I won't look at it again until tomorrow. I will also hold it up against a mirror. That is the best way to see if there are any flaws in the sketch. It is an old tried and true technique that I really believe in. I hope that the lines are dark enough to see. I can't make them too dark because I don't want them permanant.

This will be my new painting

Hi. Just checking in. Christmas is almost here and I am ready for it. I am getting anxious to start my new painting. It will be a standard size painting and a kaleidoscope. I never trace or use a projector so the painting will be alot different than the photo. I only use photos as reference. This photo is what I will be working from. I am going to change the direction of the light too.

Getting ready for Christmas.

Merry Christmas! I am decorating the house today and I will get the cards ready to mail on Monday. We put our tree up and so far just the lights are up. We found the perfect tree after going to three tree lots. I won't be painting until after Christmas but I want to thank everyone for signing up as a follower. Hugs to all of you. I have my original Aquabord paintings on sale (20% off ) in my zibbet shop. http://www.zibbet.com/ElinorSethman They will be on sale until Christmas.

WIP Orchid painting completed

Okay, here it is. It sure looks alot different now. I used a background that I have never used before. I was told a long time ago to take chances with new colors and let myself go. Here is the result. The kaleidoscope background has many transparent layers in it. The first layers were burnt umber in some squares and raw sienna in the others. I put layers of Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Sienna and Opera Rose over the top letting each layer dry completely. I like texture so I wanted the brushstrokes to show. I learned how to do this by hit and miss, the way that I do most of my work. The added colors tie the background and the foreground together. I added color pencil in some of the areas to pop the color. Mollie, the secret glaze is the Impellist flourescent orange. I just ordered more and the only place that I could find it was in Australia. I had to take this picture inside at a north window because it is raining today. The size of the painting is 15x21.

WIP Orchids Glow Added

I applied my secret glaze today. This is before I tone it down. I left it bright so you can see what I did. I used Sakura  Impellist florescent orange in the petals. I have been using this color for years. It adds a glow that is slight after I tone it down. It really brings life into the work. I used it on Kaleidoscope Of Christmas Past...especially on the Santa bag.  I am close to being done with the flowers and I am very anxious to do the kaleidoscope background...stay tuned.

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WIP Orchids

I painted a little on this yesterday. I love painting when it is raining outside. So far, I like it. I just wish that I could paint every day. I started with the flowers because I needed the background blank in case I needed to add more flowers. Sometimes I will put the background in first. I thought it best to wait with this one. The sketch was changed a bit. The yellows are various yellows from my paintbox....Cad Yellow medium, Yellow light, Indian Yellow, and Gamboge. I also used a light wash of Yellow Ocher in some spots. The pink tones were painted with various mixtures of Winsor & Newton Opera Rose and Daniel Smith Quinacridone Rose. I added some blue tones in some areas. The shadows are the rose mixtures mixed with a little green (Hookers green). The yellow tones were toned down with a violet that I mixed. The orchids are now a different color. They seem to take on a new look every other day. These are the colors that they started out with. I won't be painting more until after Thanksgiving. Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving. The picture is crooked but you can see what I did on the painting. Thank you for looking.

Starting To Paint The Orchids

It's already November 14th and I don't know where the time went. I have started painting the orchid painting. More will be done on it next week. The pinks are Opera Rose mixed with Quin Rose. The shadows are the pinks grayed down with green from my pallet. The yellows are Gamboge, Winsor lemon, Cad Yellow Med., and Indian yellow mixed together in various mixtures. I also used a light wash of Yellow ochre in some of the petals. There is also some white Prismacolor pencil in some areas. The size is 15x21. It will be matted in a 22x28 mat when it is finished. The paper is really white and I am not sure why it looks gray.